Home
UAE
Dubai

DMCC to launch cacao centre in Dubai

DMCC will initially incubate a select range of cacao services within its DMCC Coffee Centre in Jebel Ali starting from mid-2021

by Varun Godinho

April 26, 2021

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has confirmed that it will open a state-of-the-art DMCC Cacao Centre within the freezone.

DMCC will initially incubate a select range of cacao services within its DMCC Coffee Centre in Jebel Ali starting from mid-2021 and aims to transform the emirate into an international trade hub for the cacao as part of its mid- to long-term development strategy.

A statement issued by state-run Dubai Media Office said that DMCC was in contact with a range of cacao industry players, including Blue Stripes Urban Cacao and stakeholders across West Africa and South America, in order to better understand the needs of the market and how Dubai can play a central role in supporting its sustainable growth.

Global demand for the superfood cacao – shell, fruit and beans – is rising and considered one of nature’s highest sources of magnesium and iron, as well as antioxidants and natural cacao butter.

“The DMCC Cacao Centre represents the next phase of our growth strategy and will see us transform Dubai into a global hub for the cacao trade,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC.

“Few thought the DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Coffee Centre would reach the levels of trade we see today, so by utilising our expertise and experience gained from developing these commodities, we see cacao and its high-growth potential as a logical next step. Whilst connecting producers with consumers will be an important part of our model, we will ensure DMCC Cacao Centre follows our high-level approach toward sustainability, which prioritises driving value across the entire supply chain,” he added.

Dubai external food trade reached Dhs52bn in 2020. Imports of foodstuffs were recorded at Dhs34.7bn, exports were at Dhs10bn, and re-exports were reported to be Dhs7.3bn. In terms of volume, the overall trade weighed 17 million tonnes – which included 12.5m tonnes of imports, 3.1m tonnes of exports, and re-exports weighing 1.3m tonnes.

Read: Dubai’s external food trade totalled Dhs52bn in 2020